TAMPA, Fla., July 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Foundation has received a generous and substantial gift from philanthropists John and Susan Sykes to establish a new Center of Excellence in Colorectal Cancer at the TGH Cancer Institute.

"Patients come to Tampa General for world-class care and next-generation treatments and therapies. Thanks to the generosity of John and Susan Sykes, we can further enhance our ability to deliver the highest level of academic-based medicine and cancer care," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "John and Susan Sykes share our belief that through innovation and investment, we can improve patient outcomes and propel clinical-driven treatments and life-saving care — care that can only be delivered by the region's singular academic-based health system and by leading-edge physicians like Dr. Jorge Marcet."

The Center, to be known as the Susan and John Sykes Center of Excellence in Colorectal Cancer at the TGH Cancer Institute, will support the patient care, education and research mission of TGH and the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Under the leadership of Marcet, professor in the Department of Surgery, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and Medical Director of Colorectal Surgery Services at the TGH Cancer Institute, the Sykes Center of Excellence will focus on providing the highest level of care in the prevention and treatment of colon and rectal cancers, and other complex colorectal diseases. Marcet and his illustrious team are at the forefront of enhancing translational research to move scientific discoveries more quickly and efficiently into practice.

"Over the past few years, we've made excellent strides in the treatment and care of colorectal cancers," said Dr. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, vice president and executive director of the TGH Cancer Institute. "This transformative endowment from John and Susan Sykes will enable us to build a framework to make the Sykes Center of Excellence in Colorectal Cancer a nationwide destination in clinical expertise for those suffering from this disease while providing a more sophisticated level of treatment and innovative care to patients. We are beyond grateful for their support and generosity."

The Sykes' have been inspired by Marcet's groundbreaking care for patients in the diagnosis, treatment and advancement of colorectal cancer care over the years. Marcet's support for an earlier screening age for colorectal cancer has dramatically improved patient outcomes.

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